State of Iowa Archives: on Energy & Oil

Alan Keyes: Explore & exploit ANWR, while respecting ecology

KEYES: Yes, I would. We’re going to have to try to take advantage of our energy reserves. We want to do it in a way that’s responsible-respecting ecological requirements and at the same time exploiting God’s precious resources for the good of our people. It’s also important because if we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it buys us time in order to make use of our ingenuity to develop alternative energy resources. So I would support that and I think that it’s a good way to go, provided we do it in a way that is responsible and that harnesses our scientific know-how to make sure we respect environmental requirements.

FORBES: The environmental technology is there to do the job right and you’re right, we should do it right now.

Andy McGuire: Trump full of hot air on wind power

I will bolster the progress we've made as a leader in wind energy, and I will fight to ensure that our state transitions to 100% clean renewable energy produced right here in Iowa. Trump sounds like a typical Washington politician--full of hot air and no clue what he's talking about.

Ben Carson: Keep ethanol mandate; unfair to withdraw contracts

CARSON: Now, as far as the renewable fuel standard is concerned, certain promises were made, certain government contracts were issued which extend all the way into the year 2022, and I believe that it's probably unfair to withdraw the rug because people have invested money. People have invested a lot of energy into that. But, you know, we are blessed with tremendous energy in this nation, and we need new sources of energy. What about hydroelectric power? We can develop that, you know? We have so much natural gas now, and we can liquefy it, and we can transfer it across the sea so we can make Europe dependent on us instead of Putin--put him back in his little box where he belongs.

Bernie Sanders: Climate change partly causes rise of terrorist groups

SANDERS: Absolutely. In fact, climate change is directly related to the growth of terrorism. And if we do not get our act together and listen to what the scientists say, you're going to see countries all over the world--this is what the CIA says--they're going to be struggling over limited amounts of water, limited amounts of land to grow their crops ask you're going to see all kinds of international conflict.

Bob Krause: 1978: Supported bipartisan gas tax increase

Krause points to a gas tax increase he helped pass in 1978 as evidence of bipartisan cooperation. The legislation won support from more Republicans than Democrats, he said. Krause chaired the House Transportation Committee during two terms.

Bruce Braley: Supported Keystone Pipeline initially, then rejected it

Cathy Glasson: Move forward with new green energy sources

Christopher Reed: Not ready to jump head first into biofuels

A: Obviously, Iowa would be at the forefront of bio-fuel technology. However, it needs to be reasonably priced, clean and efficient. I believe that Iowa would reap the benefits of bio-fuels as the Middle East has from oil. I want this success for all Iowans and other American farmers. But I am not quite ready to jump head first into it without first making sure it is the best suit for America.

Christopher Reed: Coal & nuclear have gotten a bad rap

I would still say that I believe nuclear energy is the cleanest, cheapest form of energy. Nuclear power gets a bad rap from the press behind EPA and radicals on the left. I think we need more nuclear plants.

Christopher Reed: Drill for more American oil to reduce gas prices

Reed said domestic oil sources would help in the meantime while alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are developed into a more viable means of energy. Reed also urged energy conservation, but said that should come from individual responsibility, not from a government mandate.

In contrast, Harkin argued drilling on the intercontinental shelf is expensive and would do little to immediately bring down oil prices. Instead, he argued for developing technologies such as an electric-powered car and cellulosic ethanol in addition to developing wind and solar energy. “We need an energy program that doesn’t just chase the last barrel of oil,” Harkin said.

Chuck Grassley: Biodiesel is not controversial, unlike ethanol

"There's not controversy about biodiesel," Grassley said, saying that nearly everyone sees its value, unlike ethanol.

Conlin mentioned that Grassley voted against bills that would have provided for an extended tax credit. The credit was attached to a bill for unemployment workers. "So concerned was Sen. Grassley about not helping those out of work that he voted against the biodiesel tax credit," she said.

Grassley said a number of provisions regarding the tax issues [extending the biodiesel credit] would pass easily, perhaps even unanimously, if they were standalone bills. However, attaching them to other bills makes them bad pieces of legislation.

Cindy Axne: Biofuels should be part of clean energy economy

Deidre DeJear: Protect environment while creating renewable energy jobs

Doug Butzier: Prioritizing green energy is just tax favors

A: Absolutely not. Tax favors only enrich those companies at the expense of the taxpayer.

Eddie Mauro: Net-zero US CO2 emissions by 2045

We should triple the amount of R&D funding that the federal government contributes to renewable fuels and energy research. We must work with industry leaders across agriculture, energy, transportation, and other industries to collaborate on ways to take research to market, collaborate on ways to create American jobs, and maximize both the environmental and economic benefits of urgent action on climate.

Fred Hubbell: Grow the economy using biomass, sun, and wind resources

Fred Hubbell: Avoid the pending disaster of climate change

Hubbell: Yes. "Avoiding the pending disaster of climate change is the responsibility of each and every one of us." Hubbell and his wife are on board of Environmental Policy and Law Center, which supports Obama's Clean Power Plan to regulate utility emissions.

Reynolds: Despite requests from legislators, has not joined US Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to fight climate change.

Gary Bauer: Resources are there to be used

Jack Hatch: Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology

Hatch indicated he supports the following principles regarding energy issues:
• Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
• Expand the bottle deposit law to include all beverage containers.
• Place restrictions on the level of pollutants generated by hog-lots.

Jack Hatch: Solar energy grants instead of utility special interests

"Not to be controlled by the special interests of the utility companies that pressured his department to return the million dollar grant," Hatch says. "That in itself shows the interests of this governor, not so much in really renewable energy, but protecting the larger corporations at the expense of the smaller producers and the individual homeowners that could benefit dramatically from this."

Hatch says the solar industry is poised to make the same kind of economic impact on Iowa as wind turbines. "The governor has backed away from this state's ability to enter into the solar market by his refusal and his returning of a grant back to the Department of Energy that would be a modest approach to us beginning our solar energy capability," Hatch says.

Jake Porter: Don't prioritize green energy

A: Strongly oppose.

Marco Battaglia: Freer market will allow energy that is greener

A: I think that allowing for a freer market will allow us energy that is greener and that works more in concert with nature.

Jim Carlin: Farmers deserve to profit from wind, biomass, solar panels

Joe Biden: I introduced the first climate change bill in 1986

Look, what we have to do is we have to act right away. And immediately, if I'm elected president, I'll reinstate all the mileage standards that existed in our administration which were taken down. That's 12 billion barrels of gasoline to be saved immediately.

And with regard to those folks who in fact are going to be victimized by what's already happened, we should be investing in infrastructure that raises roads, makes sure that every new highway built is a green highway, having 550,000 charging stations.

We can create millions of good-paying jobs. We're the only country in the world that's ever taken great crises and turned them into great opportunity.

Joni Ernst: Drives hybrid car, but doubts climate change is man-made

Joni Ernst: Meeting with Big Oil doesn't make me feel uncomfortable

While ExxonMobil and API oppose the mandate, which requires refiners to mix a set amount of ethanol and other biofuels into the nation's fuel supply, Ernst is quoted in a clip stating the meeting with industry didn't make her "feel uncomfortable."

The ad scolds Ernst for "her big oil backers," which NextGen claims are "trying to gut Iowa renewables."

While the ad blasts Ernst for being against the renewable fuel standard, Steyer has criticized ethanol in the past. In an interview in 2010, Steyer said ethanol was not the way to go. NextGen also has routinely criticized any expansion of fossil fuels, and continued use of them in order to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

Joni Ernst: Fight for ethanol and biodiesel, not electric vehicles

Ernst: As long as I am in the Senate I will be fighting to ensure the future for biofuels. The party on the left is moving towards electric vehicles. That is not something we should be supporting in Iowa. I have been endorsed by the Iowa Corn Growers, I have also been endorsed by Iowa Farm Bureau because they know how hard I have been fighting for ethanol and for biodiesel.

Joni Ernst: Voted to repeal 2015 Clean Power Plan

Joni Ernst: Voted to uphold new EPA rule on carbon emissions for power plants that repealed the 2015 Clean Power Plan. Has supported federal funding for wind energy job training and more biofuel use.

Theresa Greenfield: "Will fight for good-paying clean energy jobs and defend and strengthen our environmental laws that are under attack." Supports expanded renewable fuel market.

Kim Reynolds: Expand natural gas as well as biomass

Iowa Energy Plan's vision statement considers a planning horizon of 10 years, identifying these key areas that could positively impact Iowa's energy economy:
• Energy Workforce Development
• Technology-based Research and Development
• Supporting Rural and Underserved Areas and Populations
• Natural Gas Expansion
• Iowa's Biomass Potential
• Alternative Fuel Vehicles
• Electric Grid Modernization

Kim Reynolds: New $2 million for Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program

Kim Reynolds: Cut funding for home retrofits & energy efficient appliances

Hubbell: Yes. Strong advocate for expanding investments in renewable energy. Has led efforts to invest state funds in this sector.

Reynolds: Mixed. Wants to continue growing IA's wind, biofuels, and solar industries, and has supported easing regulations to facilitate their growth. But signed bill cutting funding for energy efficiency subsidies, home retrofits and energy efficient appliances.

Climate Change: Consider climate change a critical threat? Regulate greenhouse gases?

Hubbell: Yes. "Avoiding the pending disaster of climate change is the responsibility of each and every one of us." Hubbell and his wife are on board of Environmental Policy and Law Center, which supports Obama's Clean Power Plan to regulate utility emissions.

Reynolds: No public statements on climate change found. Despite requests from legislators, has not joined US Climate Alliance, a coalition of states committed to fight climate change.

Kim Reynolds: We must continue to embrace an all-of-the-above approach

Kimberly Graham: Supports Green New Deal

• Green New Deal
• Green Manufacturing Plan
• Incentives for Sustainable Agriculture

Matthew Whitaker: Cap-and-trade proposal stifles the American dream

Source: Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier on 2014 Iowa Senate race Sep 23, 2013

Michael Franken: Addressing climate change is a national security imperative

Mike also knows that the ethanol industry needs better tools to beat big oil. President Trump uses the small refinery exemption to prop up big oil. Mike wants to introduce legislation to stop that.

Farmers need the tools to beat climate change and benefit from it. He supports establishing federal grants for environmental stewardship and regenerative agriculture. This includes increasing research and development for carbon sequestration technologies.

Michael Franken: Expand public transportation & electric charging stations

Michael Franken: The fate of our planet should not be a partisan issue

Michele Bachmann: I opposed cap-and-trade, including Lightbulb Choice Act

BACHMANN: When you were governor in Minnesota you implemented cap and trade in our state and you praised the unconstitutional individual mandates and called for requiring all people in our state to purchase health insurance. You said the era of small government was over. That sounds more like Barack Obama, if you ask me. During my time in the US Congress I have fought all of these unconstitutional measures as well as Barack Obama.

Q: Isn't that about the worst thing you can say about a fellow Republican, that he reminds you of Barack Obama?

BACHMANN: The policies that the governor advocated for were cap and trade. When it came to cap and trade, I fought it with everything that was in me, including introducing the Lightbulb Freedom of Choice Act so people could all purchase the lightbulb of their choice.

Mitt Romney: No-regrets policy: energy independence and CO2 reduction

With regards to our developing more energy, I want to see us use more of our renewable resources: bio-diesel, bio-fuel, ethanol, cellulosic ethanol. I want to see us developing liquefied coal if we can sequester the CO2 properly. I want to see nuclear power. I want to see us develop our own oil off-shore, and in ANWR.

On the other side of the equation, in addition to developing our energy, we have to be more efficient in our use of it. And that means more fuel efficient vehicles. It means more energy efficient homes. The combination of more efficiency and the generation of more domestic-sourced energy will allow us to become energy independent. And that has as the benefit, of reducing our emissions of CO2.

Nate Boulton: 50% renewable energy by 2025

Orrin Hatch: Revoke Kyoto Accords as environmental extremism

Orrin Hatch: Eliminate Kyoto Accords and implement more local control

Pat Murphy: Opposes Keystone Pipeline; supports alternative energy

PROMOTING RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT: Pat supports efforts to expand Iowa's job base and promote economic development, but in a way that is responsible and considers all the costs involved--including public health and global warming considerations. He stands with local communities that have imposed moratoriums on sand fracking in Northeast Iowa, and in Congress, Pat will push for more research and development into next-generation technologies that curb greenhouse gas emissions while promoting growth in manufacturing. Pat is opposed to the Keystone Pipeline because it doesn't create lasting, longterm jobs while endangering our largest aquifer.

Patty Judge: Move away from fossil fuels & toward a clean energy economy

Patty Judge: Global warming is real and we need to take immediate action

Patty Judge: Global warming is real and we need to take immediate action to preserve our environment and natural resources for future generations. I believe Iowa can be a model for the clean energy economy and I'm proud of the work I've done to promote renewable fuels and wind energy in the state. On the federal level, we must continue to fund programs like the production tax credit for wind energy. On a federal and state level we must also make funding conservation programs a priority, which is why I strongly support funding the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Trust Fund to give sustainable funding to protecting our state's water and other natural resources.

Pete Buttigieg: Put environmental justice at the core of our climate plan

We are going to have to use federal funds to make sure that we are supporting those whose lives will inevitably be impacted further by the increased severity and the increased frequency. And by the way, that is happening to farms, that is happening to factories, and that disproportionately happens to black and brown Americans, which is why equity and environmental justice have to be at the core of our climate plan going forward.

Rich Leopold: Supports strong wind industry in Iowa

We need Iowa jobs. We need sustainable and good paying jobs that can't be outsourced, such as the strong wind industry in Iowa that I helped bring about.

And we need a plan. Iowa government seems to be running by the seat of their pants.

Rob Hogg: Expand solar power, wind energy, ethanol

Rob Hogg: Address climate change with solutions that work for economy

Rob Hogg: Wind & solar power work; Keystone pipeline unneeded

What is needed is more solutions like the hybrid and all-electric vehicles Hogg talked about at the kick-off of his "climate solutions" tour at an electric vehicle charging station at Paulson Electric in Cedar Rapids. The tour that will include a stop at Luther College's solar array.

"These solutions work," Hogg said. "Solar power, wind power, other renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, fuel-efficient cars, rail, walkable and bike- ag solutions that build the carbon content of our soil and retain the nutrients on the land, investments in natural resources and investments in infrastructure to safeguard people and property from extreme weather events."

Rob Hogg: It is time to act on climate change

Rod Blum: Create jobs & lower costs with coal & oil shale

I support utilizing American energy resources. Shovel-ready jobs are in the energy sector. America is the Saudi Arabia of wind, coal, natural gas and oil shale. Not only can we create more jobs by going after these energy sources, but we can keep costs down and reduce our trade deficit.

Roxanne Conlin: Invest in homegrown alternatives to foreign oil

Roxanne Conlin: Focus on the sun, the wind, and biomass

Moving toward energy independence serves three important goals:
1. It creates new and permanent American jobs.
2. It protects our environment.
3. It enhances our national security by decreasing the amount of money that we send to nations that train and harbor terrorists.

Roxanne Conlin: Grassley voted against extending biodiesel tax credit

"There's not controversy about biodiesel," Grassley said, saying that nearly everyone sees its value, unlike ethanol.

Conlin mentioned that Grassley voted against bills that would have provided for an extended tax credit. The credit was attached to a bill for unemployment workers. "So concerned was Sen. Grassley about not helping those out of work that he voted against the biodiesel tax credit," she said.

Grassley said a number of provisions regarding the tax issues [extending the biodiesel credit] would pass easily, perhaps even unanimously, if they were standalone bills. However, attaching them to other bills makes them bad pieces of legislation.

Sam Clovis: Exploit every form of energy, underground and above ground

Energy independence includes expanding and exploiting every form of energy from that found underground to all available sources found above ground, as well. Wind, solar, nuclear and bio-fuels should be further cultivated to balance energy sources and to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels.

Sam Clovis: Obama's "Climate Resilience Fund" just redistributes wealth

"Serious research and hard work have gone into building resilience in communities around the country," continued Clovis. "The President's plan is nothing more than a grandstand play to take attention away from his failed administration. Of course, one has come to expect such deception and diversion from this administration. It is hard to believe that so many in whom we have entrusted our governance could be so truthfully challenged."

Sam Clovis: No subsidies for wind and solar

Clovis: Strongly Disagree

Steve Forbes: Explore ANWR immediately, to reduce foreign oil dependence

KEYES: Yes, I would. We're going to have to try to take advantage of our energy reserves. We want to do it in a way that's responsible-respecting ecological requirements and at the same time exploiting God's precious resources for the good of our people. It's also important because if we can reduce our dependence on foreign oil, it buys us time in order to make use of our ingenuity to develop alternative energy resources. So I would support that and I think that it's a good way to go, provided we do it in a way that is responsible and that harnesses our scientific know-how to make sure we respect environmental requirements.

FORBES: The environmental technology is there to do the job right and you're right, we should do it right now.

Terry Branstad: Supports wind energy by signing HF 672

Terry Branstad: Expand and protect American energy resources

A spokesman for Governor Branstad issued a written statement: "Jack Hatch can continue to bloviate from the sidelines, but all Iowans know that the Branstad-Reynolds administration has fought to expand and protect American energy resources so that Iowans have cheaper costs at the pump, their homes and their businesses," said Tommy Schultz, Branstad-Reynolds communications director.

Terry Branstad: Keep corn-based ethanol in nation's fuel supply

Hatch questioned tax cuts the state gave to a fertilizer plant that located in southeast Iowa, asking "why are we giving these kinds of incentives to corporations, instead of looking where job growth really is, it's in the small towns, it's in the small businesses."

Branstad argued that the deal created jobs for state residents. He also attacked the fiscal policies of the previous Democratic governor, seeking to tie Hatch to a leader that he said didn't balance the books.

Theresa Greenfield: Fight for strong clean energy solutions

Theresa Greenfield: Fight for clean energy jobs; strengthen environmental laws

Theresa will fight for good-paying clean energy jobs and defend and strengthen our environmental laws that are under attack from the corporate special interests in Washington.

Theresa Greenfield: Bio fuels can be part of solution to climate change

Greenfield: We have to take urgent climate action. In my Fair Shot for Farmers plan I focus on a number of things from trade, to leveling the playing field, to investing in conservation, focusing on making sure that we become the first net zero farm industry. We need to invest in research to understand what else we can do from shipping to airplanes, we need to invest in bio-based manufacturing

Theresa Greenfield: Climate change is getting worse; urgent action needed

Theresa Greenfield: Yes. Advocates "urgent climate action." "Climate change is getting worse. We've seen it in extensive floods that destroy our fields and wash away parts of our cities."

Joni Ernst: No. "I think there is probably a contribution [by humans, but] if we wipe all industry off the face of the Earth, our climate is still going to change."

Theresa Greenfield: Supports expanded renewable fuel market

Theresa Greenfield: "Will fight for good-paying clean energy jobs and defend and strengthen our environmental laws that are under attack." Supports expanded renewable fuel market.

Joni Ernst: Voted to uphold new EPA rule on carbon emissions for power plants that repealed the 2015 Clean Power Plan. Has supported federal funding for wind energy job training and more biofuel use.

Theresa Greenfield: Take urgent action to address man-made climate change

Tom Fiegen: Transform away from fossil fuels, and towards sustainability

Unless we take bold action to address climate change, our children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren are going to look back on this period in history and ask a very simple question: Where were they? Why didn't the United States of America, the most powerful nation on earth, lead the international community in cutting greenhouse gas emissions and preventing the devastating damage that the scientific community told us would surely come?

Tom Harkin: Develop cellulosic ethanol, wind, and solar

Reed said domestic oil sources would help in the meantime while alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power are developed into a more viable means of energy. Reed also urged energy conservation, but said that should come from individual responsibility, not from a government mandate.

In contrast, Harkin argued drilling on the intercontinental shelf is expensive and would do little to immediately bring down oil prices. Instead, he argued for developing technologies such as an electric-powered car and cellulosic ethanol in addition to developing wind and solar energy. "We need an energy program that doesn't just chase the last barrel of oil," Harkin said.